The standard 2012 El Yunque quarters are made of a clad composition that contains copper and nickel. Clad proof quarters and silver proof quarters were also minted and they sell for more money. Keep reading to learn more about these coins.
Design
On the reverse side of the coin the design shows the wildlife found in El Yunque National Forest. A parrot, a Coqui tree frog and a epiphyte plant are pictured on the coin.
El Yunque National Forest is located in Puerto Rico. This tropical rain forest encompasses 28,434 acres and it's home to lush foliage, waterfalls, and rivers.
Coin Information
These coins are part of the America the Beautiful quarters program.
The US minted different series of the El Yunque quarter. There is the 2012 P quarter, 2012 D quarter, 2012 S quarter, 2012 S proof quarter and 2012 S silver proof quarter.
Proof coins are essentially coins that have more detail. They are minted on special planchets and it takes longer to produce them. They are specifically made for collectors so you won't find any in your spare change.
Note: The mint mark can be found on the obverse side of each coin under the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto.
| Series | Location | Quantity Minted |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 P | Philadelphia | 25,800,000 |
| 2012 D | Denver | 25,000,000 |
| 2012 S | San Francisco | 1,680,140 |
| 2012 S Proof | San Francisco | 1,012,094 |
| 2012 S Silver Proof | San Francisco | 608,060 |
Value
The value will depend on the series and the coin's condition. Below we will examine the value for each series.
Clad Quarters
The standard 2012 El Yunque clad quarters in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $0.25. These coins only sell for a premium in uncirculated condition.
Both the 2012 P El Yunque quarter and 2012 D El Yunque quarter are each worth around $0.50 in uncirculated condition with an MS 63 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $2.
The 2012 S El Yunque quarter is worth around $1 in MS 63 uncirculated condition. The value is around $8 in MS 65 uncirculated condition.
The 2012 S proof El Yunque quarter is worth around $4.50 in PR 66DC condition. The value is around $15 in PR 69DC condition.
Silver Proof Quarter
This coin is worth at least its weight in silver. The silver melt value for this coin is $5.36. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $29.66 per ounce.
The 2012 S silver proof El Yunque quarter is worth around $12 in PR 66DC condition. The value is around $20 in PR 69DC condition.
Grading System
MS 63 choice uncirculated- In the major focal areas there are some blemishes or contact marks. The coin's luster might not be as prominent.
MS 65 gem uncirculated- There is strong luster and eye appeal. A few light contact marks may be present but they are barely noticeable.
PR 66DC proof- There are minimal marks and hairlines.
PR 69DC proof- Only the slightest imperfections are present.
Sources:
The Red Book
See also:
2012 Acadia Quarter
2012 Chaco Culture Quarter
2012 Denali Quarter
2012 Hawaii Volcanoes Quarter